disillusion
Americanverb (used with object)
noun
verb
noun
Other Word Forms
- disillusionment noun
- disillusive adjective
- undisillusioned adjective
Etymology
Origin of disillusion
Explanation
To disillusion is to make someone realize their belief isn't true. If your cousin believes that the Tooth Fairy will come in the night, take her tooth and sprinkle her with fairy dust. It would be too cruel to disillusion her. When you disillusion someone, you take away a false belief, or an illusion. Your parents' divorce might disillusion your romantic ideas of marriage, and a political candidate you supported enthusiastically could disillusion if she doesn't follow through on her promises. The disappointment you feel as a result of being disillusioned is also called disillusion, like the disillusion that results when your older sister tells you the truth about the Easter Bunny.
Vocabulary lists containing disillusion
Commonly Confused Words, List 2
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Toni Morrison (1931–2019) Tribute List
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Selection Vocabulary 1, Unit 5
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Lewis and Tolkien were disgusted by this atmosphere of disillusion.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 22, 2026
Accepting the possibility of disillusion as part of existence allows Amélie to endure sorrow and bask in moments of elation.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 6, 2025
In stark contrast with the album’s bombastic, top-10 title track, the early version of “Born in the USA” featured on “Nebraska ’82” oozes with the pain, heartbreak and disillusion inherent in the song’s lyrics.
From Salon • Oct. 24, 2025
Put them all together and there is a disillusion and a widespread sense among farmers of not being listened to.
From BBC • Nov. 17, 2024
His face was agog with befuddlement and disillusion.
From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
